Dog Food Recipes

Index:

Puppy Milk Formula

This is used as a supplement if you have to hand-raise, given to the bitch during whelping process, used to wean puppies. It was given to me by Lydia Laycook of Von Rhinegold Kees Kennels who obtained it from [I believe] Michigan State Veterinary University. It is suppose to be as close to bitch milk as possible and produce superior puppies. I have used it since my first litter. I have no complaints!

DISSOLVE ON STOVE:

Combine all above together. Add one more can of water. Blend well. Refrigerate. The stuff turns to a "pudding" state, but melts when warmed.

Chipper's Favorite Cupcakes

This recipe was originally obtained from Peter & Holly Colcord. It was used on "Chrissy" [Ch. YanKee Starkist, one of the top keeshond bitches in history] while she was being campaigned. It has since been adapted and changed according to what I have learned about nutrition. I have raised puppies on it, fed it to brood bitches, stud dogs and as road food. It is highly digestible, leaving very little stool volume and no loose stools.

Cook rice and lentils together. In a food processor, mulch up vegetables, garlic, eggs, meat. Mix all ingredients together. Spoon into lightly oiled oversized-cupcake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Freeze what you are not going to use in 5 days. This makes about 4 dozen larger-size cupcakes.

A*starz Dog Stew

This recipe was developed as a way to get away from canned dog food mixers. The first step away was Campbell's soups, of which "Chicken & Stars" was the A*starz dog's favorite flavor. Ha Ha.

Bake the non-raw meats along with any dry vegetables, such as split peas. (If you are using beef, there is no need to cook, just use it raw.) Debone the meat and shred pieces by hand. In a food processor, mulch up raw meats. Cook the brown rice and lentils together. In a food processor, mulch up vegetables and garlic. Mix all together and spoon into containers for freezing.

Take concentrated stew, add some water and heat in microwave until warm. Mix in with dry dog food and serve.

Notes on Cooking, Mixing & Storing

When cooking for the dogs, a food processor is invaluable. I use mine for everything. It mulches the meat, purees the vegetables and mixes things together nicely and evenly.

I refrigerate all the raw ingredients, including flours. We have a spare refrigerator, so that comes in handy in holding all the stuff as you keep cooking naturally. Labels are very important to keep on stuff in progress, such as garlic cloves, cooked cornmeal, cooked oatmeal. It is helpful to know what it is and when it was prepared! Gee, what is that stuff in the orange tupperware with the green lid? Sometimes it seems like our fridge holds more dog food than people food. I guess the main thing to remember is "it ain't dog food until a dog eats it" so it is fair game for anyone.

Because I don't want to spend all my time in the kitchen for the dogs, I will sometimes multiply the recipes and freeze them in containers. It is important to note that these recipes don't keep more than a week in the refrigerator, so freeze what you aren't going to use in that time and yank it out when you need it. It is a real chore trying to juggle the contents, cook the rice and bake the chicken, etc. They all may have different cooking times. I will have separate ingredients cooking when I have the time to and then use them when I put the batch together. It is a pain, but I feel I'm getting healthier dogs and the long term affects will be worth it. I have been cooking for the dogs since February 1991. We'll see who wins, the dogs or my perseverance and time. Maybe some will think I'm crazy, but that won't be a new observation. In the meantime, I'm always looking for easy AND good things to feed the dogs.

Bon Appetite!